Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1528810
40 B M & T ••• November/December 2024 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com reports, certain corporate decisions to back away from commitment to DEI efforts are based on increased push- back from core customer segments. • There's no doubt that I will always personally remain committed to DEI. I'm also extremely, extreme- ly, extremely proud that my organiza- tion is dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion, from my Board of Directors to our individual depart- ments. • Our approach has been to adopt policies and procedures that reflect both the values of our community and our organization. Policies exist for areas from HR and Operations to Marketing and even to our Board of Directors. We keep them straightfor- ward so they really "speak" to us without a lot of ambiguity. • For example, one of our HR Policies regarding recruitment efforts for open positions says: Develop, and keep current, a list of varied sources to post job openings on our team. The sources should provide the best opportunity for a diverse group of candidates to gain interest and apply for the opening. • We also want to be a conduit for introducing the next generation of empowering our interns with the vital skills and competencies neces- sary for thriving in the tourism and hospitality industry. By providing comprehensive training, hands-on experience, and mentorship, we ensure that our interns are well-pre- pared to navigate the dynamic chal- lenges for their careers. • We provide opportunities that foster professional development and personal growth, networking and real-world applications. Ulti-mately, our goal is to cultivate a new genera- tion of industry leaders who are equipped to drive positive change and deliver exceptional experiences. • Our commitment to DEI and attracting multicultural meetings is part of the fabric of our identity. We embrace diversity and take pride in being a part of the Capitol/Mid- Atlantic region, which is one of the most multicultural regions in the United States. Over 170 nationalities are represented between Prince George's, Maryland and neighboring Washington D.C. which adds to our appeal and interest. We have long understood the importance of driving attention to our destination and reaching a variety of people. We offer a welcoming environment, we have culturally rich venues, we highlight and support our diverse communities, and we take steps to ensure that opportunities are inclusive. We recog- nize that diversity, equity and inclu- sion is beneficial to all of us. BENNISH BROWN, PRESIDENT/CEO, DESTINATION AUGUSTA There could be any number of rea- sons, but based on some media tourism and hospitality professionals to our industry and preparing them for advancement in this career. The policy reads: Provide hands-on pro- fessional work experience to expand the hospitality and tourism workforce by attracting underrepresented sec- tors and exposing ethnically diverse college graduates to career opportu- nities within the industry. • A final example comes from our Group Business Development (Sales) and Group Experiences departments. It says: The GBD team should assist convention and event clients in diversifying their program and local procurement from diverse speakers and vendors. • We are always looking for any gaps in our DEI policies and written practices, so that we can fill those cracks and continue to try to be a light that shines in our community, state and industry. One way we meas- ure success is being very mindful of how naturally we activate the priori- ties in our DEI policies. So, one meas- ure of success is "walking the talk." • We are truly fortunate to be in a destination with a long history of attracting multicultural meet- ings that showcase and celebrate diversity, along with all types of festivals and events. Our policies and procedures ensure that we are always deliberate about our efforts. What we continue to see is more appreciation and acknowl- edgement from the multicultural meetings that come to our city, and we know these meeting plan- ners are sharing their testimonials firsthand with other prospects on our recruitment radar